What began in Milan nearly a century ago (1935, to be exact) has since evolved into a global network of schools that serves as a driving force of creativity, innovation and style. Today, Istituto Marangoni counts more than 6,400 students from 108 countries across 11 campuses in major cities including Milan, Paris, London, Dubai, Shanghai and Mumbai and the “12th school” on the Metaverse (offering immersive courses). With a community of 45,000 alumni, the institution has become a leading international and multicultural group with deep Italian roots.
Offering a wide range of programs — from bachelor’s and master’s degrees to specialized courses — Istituto Marangoni trains talent and professionals across fashion disciplines including design, communication and business, and digital innovation (Metaverse and artificial intelligence (AI). Over the years, the Group has expanded its scope beyond fashion to include design, art , beauty and hospitality, reflecting the evolving needs of today’s creative industries.
Now, as it marks its 90th anniversary, the Group is celebrating with a series of global events which, according to Istituto Marangoni’s managing director Stefania Valenti, are centered around “honoring a legacy of educational excellence while looking to the future with vision and innovation.”
“Celebrating 90 years means reinforcing our commitment to training the next generation of creative talents and professionals, equipping them with the most advanced digital skills,” Valenti added.
Celebratory Milestones and Global Expansion
For its 90th anniversary, Istituto Marangoni is commemorating nearly a century of creativity through a series of global events, exhibitions and openings.
Drawing from archival materials and testimonials from faculty, alumni and staff, the celebrations retrace the pivotal role of the “Marangoni Method” in shaping the fashion system in Italy and beyond — a journey that bridges past and future, keeping the dialogue between tradition and innovation alive.
In Milan, the school has relocated from its historic Via Verri address — steps from the city’s Golden Triangle luxury district — and its more recent San Babila outpost to Palazzo Turati, a neo-Renaissance landmark in the Via Meravigli area. The new 96,875-square-foot space includes 10,764 square feet dedicated to laboratories, a colonnade and open social areas designed to foster collaboration, as well as a 2,153-square-foot cafeteria overlooking the Milan skyline.
Following the official opening, the institution hosted a fashion show in the nearby Galleria Meravigli, featuring collections from 10 top fashion design students selected by an expert jury.
“The exhibition is a real tribute that Istituto Marangoni wants to leave to the city of Milan,” said Valenti. “It signals how the past can inspire research to create new semantic and semiotic lexicons in fashion.”
Elsewhere in Europe, Istituto Marangoni Paris recently opened its new campus at 15 Rue Boissière in the city’s prestigious 16th arrondissement. Continuing its international expansion, the institution will become the first global higher education group focused on luxury to establish a presence in Saudi Arabia as it opened its first campus in Riyadh in August.
Palazzo Turati courtyard — Milan fashion school.
Courtesy of Istituto Marangoni
According to Valenti, this growth strategy showcases the school’s commitment to entering key fashion and luxury markets while supporting local talent and empowering women in regions undergoing rapid transformation.
“Celebrating 90 years of Istituto Marangoni means honoring a legacy of talent, vision and continuous innovation,” Valenti said. “But above all, it means looking to the future and to the internationalization of our educational method. The recent openings of international campuses from Dubai to Riyadh and the integration of digital languages into our approach — from the metaverse to AI — demonstrate our ability to constantly evolve. All of this positions us as a true house of time, where tradition merges with the future and where today’s talents shape the fashion and luxury concepts of tomorrow.”
Istituto Marangoni Florence school fashion show 2025.
Courtesy of Istituto Marangoni
As part of its anniversary initiatives, the school also released “The Scent of Beauty: Leonardo da Vinci Between Fashion and Style,” an essay published with Marsilio Editore. Curated by researcher Maria Pirulli, the work explores da Vinci’s influence on fashion, textiles, beauty and luxury — positioning him as an early advocate of Made in Italy and brand identity.
To learn more visit istitutomarangoni.com
